From Home, With Love

Mayor Carrying Message Of Caring To City's Soldiers In Bosnia

December 11, 2001|By MARYELLEN FILLO;Courant Staff Writer

NEW BRITAIN — When Mayor Lucian Pawlak climbs aboard a flight bound for Bosnia today, he will be taking along more than just a change of clothes when he visits eight New Britain soldiers stationed there.

One oversized suitcase will contain all the fixings for Christmas. He will also take along good wishes and prayers from a group at St. Joseph Church known as ``the church ladies.''

When the group of women heard that the mayor was part of a contingent of officials visiting Connecticut National Guard troops stationed in Bosnia, they baked cookies, stuffed stockings and collected cards and letters for the New Britain soldiers who won't be home for Christmas.

``We never did anything like this before but got right down to business when Helen [Pawlak] told us that Lucian was heading to Bosnia,'' said Peg Roden, a member of the church's Rosary Guild.

``When I called them and suggested we do something for the New Britain soldiers there, it didn't take long for things to start moving,'' said Helen Pawlak, also a member of the guild and the group her husband nicknamed ``the church ladies.''

A total of 13 people, mostly women, baked dozens of cookies for the local soldiers. Red fluffy stockings filled with items including a camera, a deck of cards, stationery, blank Christmas cards, a prayer book and a pine-scented candle were prepared for each soldier. Students at St. Joseph's School added to the festivities by creating construction paper Christmas cards. The most touching part, organizers agreed, was their hand-scrawled messages, assuring soldiers their families and friends in New Britain were praying for them and would be there waiting when they returned home.

Pawlak is one of 55 officials across the state traveling to two bases near Tuzia, where the National Guard members from Connecticut are stationed. The 250 soldiers are part of a stabilization force and are expected to stay there until spring. Pawlak said the National Guard is making arrangements for soldiers from each community to meet privately with officials. That is when Pawlak said he plans to present the New Britain soldiers with the gifts from their hometown.

``I can travel light,'' joked Pawlak, who said he is using the bulk of his luggage allotment for the gifts rather than his own clothes and personal items. ``All I need is a couple pair of clean underwear and a pair of jeans.''

The mayor said he is honored to be taking the trip.

``I give full credit to the gift idea to my wife and the church ladies,'' he said. ``I think this a gesture that will let the soldiers there know, in a small way, that there are many people in New Britain who care.''